Around the Water Cooler panelists answered the following question: Do you hold trust in the Boy Scouts of America as a safe organization for children?
Ruth Erickson: “I used to, but not now! Their many years of cover-ups on child abuse incidents has left disgust and negative feelings about the organization. Lord Robert Baden-Powell, who founded th Boy Scouts in England in 1908, must be turning in his grave! The organization seems to have forgotten Baden-Powell’s emphasis on character and citizenship as a part of its focus. It’s a shame that this black cloud overshadows the many good and hard-working volunteers and scout leaders who have made huge and positive impacts on the lives of hundreds of thousands of boys for over 100 years in many countries.”
Mary Zanger: “I have not lost trust for the Boy Scouts because the potential for promoting community vitality remains. However a remedy for the current situation is possible. I think all volunteers, leaders, and staff should be fingerprinted, background researched, and trained before being allowed the responsible positions as Boy Scouts leaders. Since Boy Scouts are similar to the military, I think openly gay persons should be allowed as leaders. Gay parents are very loving and responsible. But pedophiles are different. They are criminals. Hopefully fingerprinting and background checks would be a deterrent to friendly ‘uncles.’”
Nants Foley: “The Boy Scouts are as safe as the altar boys or the boys of Sandusky’s charity. There are sick men everywhere. Luckily they are a small minority. I have personally seen decent men give hours and hours of their time for years and years to lead boys through scouting. I hold trust in them.”
Richard Place: “It’s probably a safe organization but I think it depends on the character of local volunteers.”
Louise Ledesma: “After 1,000 cases of molestation by Scout leaders, I guess not! It’s sad that you can’t trust these leaders. Parents should get to know persons who are with their children and participate in their activities.”
